Display stand



Sept. 12, 1967 Filed Nov. 30, 1965 S. C. NICHOLS DISPLAY STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E SAMUEL c. NICHOLS BUC/(HORN, BL 0/75, KL 4900/57 8 SPAR/(MAN ATTORNEYS Sept. 12, 1967 s. c. NICHOLS 3,341,023

DISPLAY STAND Filed Nov. 30, 1,965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SAMUEL C. NICHOLS //Vl /V7'O/? United States Patent 3,341,028 DISPLAY STAND Samuel C. Nichols, Oregon City, 0reg., assignor to Jantzen Inc., Portland, Greg, a corporation of Nevada Filed Nov. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 510,518 Claims. (Cl. 211178) This invention relates to display stands for garments and the like and, more particularly, to a collapsible display stand that is expandable in both width and height.

A lightweight, collapsible display stand is of great benefit to salesmen, and especially to garment salesmen in view of the large amount of traveling that they do. Such a display stand to be practical must be adaptable for quick assembly and disassembly. It should also be capable of displaying the salesmans Wares in a manner that will best enhance their sales appeal, and as such, should comprise means to illuminate garments hung thereon and also means to shield them from view until the desired moment for display.

It is thus the principal object of the present invention to provide a display stand that is economical to construct, light in weight and readily transportable by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a display stand that can expand in both its width and height, so that it may be adapted to changing sales requirements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a display stand having lighting means that are capable of adequately illuminating garments that are hung thereon.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a display stand having means adapted to shield garments from view until the proper time arrives for their display.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter.

In accordance with an illustrated embodiment, the display stand of the present invention comprises a collapsible tubular framework, telescoping crosspieces on which garments can be hung, and means to support illuminating means and garment-shielding means. The framework includes telescoping diagonals which are disposed in a plane behind that of the telescoping crosspieces, thus not to interfere with the garments hung thereupon. The illuminating means and garment-shielding means are disposed forwardly of the telescoping crosspieces.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the following specification and to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display stand of the present invention, shown in its fully expanded condition, with illuminating means attached and with the garment-shielding means shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the display stand shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the main framework of the display stand of the present invention, shown in its completely collapsed and most compact condition;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the display stand of the present invention, shown in its narrow width, expanded height condition;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the display stand, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 with drop cloths;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the lower portion of the stand of the present invention, shown in its narrow width and low height condition;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the display stand 10 of the present invention is comprised of a collapsible framework 12, telescoping crosspieces 14, 16 and a telescoping frame 18, which latter is adapted to support illuminating means 20 and garment-shielding means 21, as shown. The members shown may all conveniently be made from extruded aluminum, although it should be understood that other metals may be used alternatively.

The framework 12 of the display stand comprises two base members 22, 24. The base members are not identical, and the member 22 will be described first. Referring especially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the base member 22 is shown to have a ground-contacting member 26, which is comprised of a central core 28 and two abutting rotatable sleeves 30 and 32. The sleeves 30, 32 are retained in position on the core 28 by an upturned flange 33 formed at each end of the core 28. A tubular member 34 is welded to the sleeve 30. Another tubular member 36 is welded to the sleeve 32. Received in the tubular member 34 and fixedly fastened thereto by a pin 38 is a tubular core member 40. Since the sleeves 30, 32 are free to rotate about the core 28, it is apparent that the tubular members 34 and 36, and the core member 40, can rotate about the axis of the member 26.

The base member 24 is similar in construction to the base member 22. It has a ground-contacting member 50,

which is also comprised of a central core (not shown) and two abutting sleeves 52 and 54. The sleeves 52, 54 are also retained in position on the core by an upturned flange formed at each end thereof. A tubular member 56 is welded to the sleeve 52. Another tubular member 58, which is shorter than the corresponding tubular member 36 of the base member 22, is welded to the sleeve 54. A tubular core member 60 is received in the tubular member 56 and is fixedly fastened thereto by a pin (not shown). Another tubular core member 61 is similarly received in the tubular member 58 and is also fastened thereto by a pin (not shown). Since the sleeves 52, 54 are free to rotate about the core in the member 50, the tubular members 56 and 58, and their respective core members 60 and 61, can rotate about the axis of the member 50.

The framework 12 also comprises two upper horizontal members 62, 64. Again, these upper horizontal members, while similar, are not identical, and the member 62 will be described first. The member 62 has a horizontal portion 66, which is again comprised of a central core (not shown) and two rotatable abutting sleeves 68 and 70. The sleeves 68, 70 are retained in position on the core by an upturned flange formed at each end thereof. A depending tubular member 72 is welded to the sleeve 68; a shorter tubular member 74 is welded to the sleeve 70. The tubular member 72 is adapted to slide upon the core member 60 such that in the lowermost position of the framework 12, the member 72 bottoms on the sleeve 56. In the uppermost position of the framework 12, the member 72 is retained in position on the core member 60 by a removable pin 76 adapted to be inserted through suitable openings in the members. The pin 76 may be attached to the member 72 by a chain 78. A tubular core member 80 is received in the member 74 and is fixedly fastened thereto by a pin (not shown). The core member 80 is adapted to slide within the member 36, such that in the most compact position of the framework 12, the member 74 bottoms on the tubular member 36. In the most expanded condition of the framework 12, the member 36 is retained in position on the core member 80 by a removable pin 84, adapted to be inserted through suitable openings in the members. Again the pin 84 may be attached to the member 36 by a chain 86.

The horizontal member 64 comprises a horizontal portion 90, including a central core (not shown) and two rotatable abutting sleeves 92 and 94 retained in position on the core by end flanges. A depending tubular member 96 is welded to the sleeve 92 and is adapted to slide on the core member 40 as shown. In the lowermost position of the framework 12, the member 96 bottoms on the member 34. In the fully expanded condition of the framework 12, the member 96 is retained in position on the core member 40 by a removable pin 98, adapted to be inserted in suitable openings in the members. A chain 100 secures pin 98 to the member 96. Another tubular member 102 is welded to the sleeve 94 and is adapted to slide on the core member 61, as shown. In the fully collapsed position of the framework 12, the member 102 bottoms on the member 58. In the fully expanded condition of the framework 12, the member 102 is retained in position on the core member 61 by a removable pin 104, which is attached to the member 102 by a chain 106.

Since the tubular members 34 and 36 can rotate about the axis of the member 26, and the members 56 and 58 can rotate about the axis of the member 50, and the members 72 and 74 can rotate about the axis of the member 66, and the members 96 and 102 can rotate about the axis of the member 90, the entire framework can collapse, as shown in FIG. 3.

The telescoping crosspieces 14, 16, which serve as rods on which garments are hung, are attached to the framework 12 by means of sleeves 110 and 111 welded to the member 72 and sleeves 112 and 113 welded to the member 96.

The crosspieces 14, 16 are identical in construction, and as such, only the crosspiece 14 will be described. It is seen to comprise a tubular member 120, into which a core member 122 is received and fixedly fastened thereto by a pin 124. (See FIG. 8.) Welded to the tubular memher 120 is a depending member 126, which is adapted to be received into the sleeve 112, as shown. The crosspiece 14 also comprises another tubular member 128, which is adapted to slide on the core member 122, such that in the most compact position of the display stand 10, the member 128 bottoms on the member 120, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8. A depending member 130 is welded to the member 128 and adapted to be received into the sleeve 110.

The telescoping frame 18 on which is supported the illuminating means 20 and the garment-shielding means 21 is comprised of a tubular member 140, which is adapted to slide on a core member 142 received in another tubular member 144. When the frame 18 is in its shortest condition, the member 140 bottoms on the member 144. Welded to the member 140 is an arm 150, which is adapted to be received into the core of the horizontal member 62. Welded to the member 144 is an arm 152, which is adapted to be received into the core of the horizontal member 64. The illuminating means 20 comprise two spotlights 160, 161 which are attached to the arm 150, and two spotlights 162, 163 attached to the arm 152, power for the lights being supplied through a cord 165. The spotlights 160, 161, 162, 163 are rotatable and adjustable on the arms 150, 152. The frame 18 is also adapted to support garment-shielding means 21, which desirably comprise opaque depending drop cloths 170, 171, 172 hung on the members 140, 142 and 144.

The display stand is thus seen to be capable of being used in a number of combinations of different widths and heights. In its most compact condition, the display stand 10 can be used with only one crosspiece 14, as shown in FIG. 6. It can be used with two crosspieces in the expanded height condition without increasing the width, as shown in FIG. 4. Finally, if necessary, the width can be expanded to the condition shown in FIG. 1.

The members 7480-36 form one of the supporting diagonals D of the framework 12; the members 58-61- 102 form the other supporting diagonal D. These diagonals are located in a plane behind the plane through the crosspieces 14, 16, thus not to interfere with garments hung upon the latter. The horizontal members -142- 144 of the frame 18 are disposed forwardly of the crosspieces 14, 16, thereby to maintain the drop cloths 170, 171, 172 in front of the garments hung upon the latter. The construction thus provides a convenient means of displaying a variety of garments in a manner best to enhance their sales appeal.

Assembly of the display stand of this invention is quick and efficient. The collapsed framework 12 is first spread apart to the desired width and raised to the desired height, and it is then retained in this position by inserting the various pins into the openings in the respective diagonal and vertical members. The crosspieces 14, 16 are inserted in the appropriate sleeves, and the frame 18 is inserted into the cores of the horizontal members 62 and 64. The stand is then ready to display garments. Disassembly is equally quick and easy and is accomplished merely by reversing the above-enumerated steps.

In the foregoing description, the invention has been described with reference to a certain particular preferred embodiment, although it is to be understood that the specific details shown are merely illustrative and that the invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following appended claims.

I claim:

1. An expandable display stand for garments and the like, comprising:

a horizontal base member disposed on each side of said stand;

a horizontal upper member disposed above each of said horizontal base members and parallel thereto;

a telescoping vertical member joining each of said horizontal base and upper members;

telescoping diagonal members disposed in a plane behind the plane of said vertical members, the lower ends of said diagonal members being pivotally attached to said horizontal base members, the upper ends of said diagonal members being pivotally attached to said horizontal upper members;

at least one telescoping horizontal crosspiece removably attached to said vertical members and lying in their plane; and

means to retain each of said telescoping vertical and diagonal members in an expanded condition.

2. An expandable display stand as in claim 1, in which each of said diagonal members is rotatable about the axes through the horizontal members to which its ends are attached.

3. An expandable display stand as in claim 1, further comprising illuminating means removably attached to said horizontal upper members.

4. An expandable display stand as in claim 3, in which said illuminating means comprises a horizontal member disposed forwardly of and parallel to said plane of said vertical members.

5. An expandable display stand as in claim 4, further comprising garment-shielding means disposed upon said horizontal member of said illuminating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,984,001 12/1934 Tanzer et al. 211-l82 3,063,571 11/1962 Sternpler 211-177 3,100,573 8/1963 Cox 211177 FOREIGN PATENTS 222,660 6/ 1959 Australia.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN EXPANDABLE DISPLAY STAND FOR GARMENTS AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING: A HORIZONTAL BASE MEMBER DISPOSED ON EACH SIDE OF SAID STAND; A HORIZONTAL UPPER MEMBER DISPOSED ABOVE EACH OF SAID HORIZONTAL BASE MEMBERS AND PARALLEL THERETO; A TELESCOPING VERTICAL MEMBER JOINING EACH OF SAID HORIZONTAL BASE AND UPPER MEMBERS; TELESCOPING DIAGONAL MEMBERS DISPOSED IN A PLANE BEHIND THE PLANE OF SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS, THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID DIAGONAL MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID HORIZONTAL BASE MEMBERS, THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID DIAGONAL MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID HORIZONTAL UPPER MEMBERS; AT LEAST ONE TELESCOPING HORIZONTAL CROSSPIECE REMOVABLY ATTACHED TO SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS AND LYING IN THEIR PLANE; AND MEANS TO RETAIN EACH OF SAID TELESCOPING VERTICAL AND DIAGONAL MEMBERS IN AN EXPANDED CONDITION. 